Sliding Pipe Rheometer - SLIPER

The Sliding Pipe Rheometer – SLIPER is a specialized instrument designed to assess the pumpability of fresh concrete and other building materials. It provides valuable measurement data for evaluating how materials behave during pumping, supporting efficient construction processes and material performance assessment.

SLIPER is also suitable for product development and quality control, helping manufacturers and construction professionals evaluate material characteristics and maintain consistent performance standards. Its focused design makes it a useful solution for applications where reliable pumpability assessment is required.

Sliding Pipe Rheometer – SLIPER for Fresh Concrete and Building Materials

• Designed to assess the pumpability of fresh concrete and various building materials.

• Provides measurement data for evaluating material behavior during pumping.

• Supports efficient assessment of fresh concrete for construction applications.

• Suitable for product development and quality control of construction materials.

• Helps evaluate material performance and maintain consistent quality standards.

• Designed for applications requiring reliable pumpability analysis of fresh concrete and building materials.

Sliding Pipe Rheometer – SLIPER for Fresh Concrete

The Sliding Pipe Rheometer – SLIPER is a specialized laboratory instrument for the economical assessment of the pumpability of fresh concrete and other building materials. It uses a piston-based measurement principle to evaluate material behavior under pumping-related conditions.

SLIPER consists of a vertical tube filled with a fresh concrete sample. The sample tube moves with the support of weights, while integrated pressure and distance sensors measure the pressure and movement speed during the test. These measurements provide data for analyzing the pumping characteristics of the tested material.

The measurement results can be stored on a smartphone and displayed graphically in a p-Q diagram, allowing different concrete mixtures to be compared directly. This data helps characterize the properties of fresh concrete and supports the assessment of its suitability for specific pumping applications.

SLIPER also includes a calculation model that can be used to estimate pressure losses in concrete pumps and pipes. This provides useful information for evaluating pumping requirements and supporting concrete mix development and quality control.

• Designed for assessing the pumpability of fresh concrete and other building materials.

• Uses a piston principle for laboratory-scale pumpability measurements.

• Features a vertical tube for testing fresh concrete samples.

• Integrated pressure and distance sensors measure pressure and movement speed.

• Stores measurement data conveniently on a smartphone.

• Displays results in a p-Q diagram for direct mixture comparison.

• Supports the evaluation of fresh concrete properties for pumping applications.

• Includes a calculation model for estimating pressure losses in concrete pumps and pipes.

• Suitable for concrete mix development, material evaluation, and quality control.

SLIPER Rheometer for Laboratory and Construction Site Applications The SLIPER rheometer for fresh concrete features a robust and versatile design suitable for use in both laboratory environments and construction sites. Its electronic components operate on battery power, allowing the instrument to function independently of a mains power supply and providing greater flexibility during testing. After measurement values are recorded, the data can be transmitted wirelessly for convenient access and review. Users can also export measurement results as an Excel file or create a PDF report, making it easier to analyze, document, and share test results for concrete pumpability evaluation and quality control.

Key Features of Sliding Pipe Rheometer – SLIPER

The Sliding Pipe Rheometer – SLIPER combines a compact design with flexible wireless operation, making it suitable for fresh concrete pumpability testing in both laboratory and construction site environments. Its efficient testing setup requires only a small sample volume while providing convenient access to measurement results.

• Compact design for easy transportation and efficient use of testing space.

• Wireless data transmission for convenient and efficient transfer of measurement results.

• Economical operation for cost-effective concrete pumpability testing.

• Low sample volume requirement helps reduce material consumption during testing.

• Battery-powered operation allows testing without a mains power connection.

• Smartphone-based results display provides immediate access to measurement data and analysis.

• Suitable for quality control applications, particularly on construction sites where portability and on-site concrete evaluation are important.

Sliding Pipe Rheometer (SLIPER): Pumpability Testing for Fresh Concrete

Accurately assessing pumping pressure before fresh concrete enters the pump line can help reduce downtime, avoid blockages, and improve pumping efficiency. The Sliding Pipe Rheometer – SLIPER provides engineers, concrete technologists, and material laboratories with a practical method for measuring the pumpability of fresh concrete through pressure and flow-rate data.

Unlike conventional workability tests such as the slump test (ASTM C143), which primarily provide an indication of yield stress, SLIPER evaluates the relationship between pressure and flow rate under pipe-flow conditions. This provides valuable information for assessing how fresh concrete behaves during pumping on a laboratory or construction-site scale.

Developed by Putzmeister and manufactured by Schleibinger, SLIPER is designed to provide an economical approach to estimating pumping behavior for fresh concrete, mortar, and other thick building materials. The resulting measurement data can support concrete mix development, pumpability evaluation, quality control, and pumping process planning.

How Does a Sliding Pipe Rheometer Work?

A sliding pipe rheometer evaluates concrete pumpability by simulating pipe-flow conditions on a smaller scale. A vertical pipe containing fresh concrete moves over a stationary piston under controlled weight. During this movement, integrated sensors measure pressure and velocity.

The resulting pressure-flow rate (p-Q) curve provides information about the pumping characteristics of the tested concrete and helps describe how the material may behave within a concrete pumping system.

The Piston-Driven Pipe Flow Principle

During conventional concrete pumping, a piston pushes fresh concrete through a pipeline. SLIPER uses a reversed arrangement in which the pipe moves while the concrete and piston remain stationary relative to each other. This creates relative movement between the concrete and pipe wall that corresponds to pipe-flow conditions.

As the pipe moves, a thin layer of material forms near the pipe wall. This lubricating layer, consisting primarily of cement paste and fine material, influences the shear behavior during pumping. The concrete within the central section can move more like a plug, while the material near the pipe wall experiences greater shear.

Because SLIPER uses an actual pipe section as part of its measurement setup, it can evaluate the interaction between the concrete and pipe wall during the test. This provides pumpability information that can complement conventional concrete rheology measurements.

Generating a Pressure-Flow Rate Curve

For testing, the operator fills the vertical pipe with a fresh concrete sample and applies calibrated weights before releasing the pipe. Integrated pressure and distance sensors record the pressure and sliding velocity during the measurement.

The SLIPER software processes the measurement data and presents the results as a p-Q diagram.

Each point on the p-Q curve represents a particular combination of pressure and flow rate. Multiple measurements using different weight combinations can be used to establish a broader curve describing the pumping behavior of the tested concrete.

The resulting data allows users to compare different:

• Concrete mix designs

• Admixture dosages

• Aggregate proportions

• Material formulations

• Fresh concrete properties

Estimating Pressure Loss During Concrete Pumping

SLIPER includes a calculation model that extends the measured p-Q data to concrete pumping applications. The model uses rheological parameters, including yield stress and plastic viscosity, together with lubricating-layer characteristics to estimate pressure losses in concrete pumps and pipes.

This information can help engineers assess pumping requirements for different pipe lengths, diameters, and configurations before concrete placement begins. It also provides useful data for concrete mix optimization and pumpability assessment.

Applications and Industries

The Sliding Pipe Rheometer – SLIPER can be used in applications where reliable assessment of concrete pumpability is important.

1. Ready-Mix Concrete Production

Ready-mix concrete producers can use SLIPER to evaluate the pumpability of concrete batches before delivery or placement. Testing representative samples can help identify variations related to aggregate moisture, admixture dosage, cement characteristics, and other mix parameters.

Early identification of changes in pumping behavior can support more consistent concrete production and help reduce the risk of pumping-related problems.

2. High-Rise and Long-Distance Concrete Pumping

Concrete pumped vertically to significant heights or transported through long horizontal pipelines can experience increased pressure requirements. SLIPER measurement data and pressure-loss calculations can help engineers evaluate whether a concrete mixture is suitable for a planned pumping configuration.

The system can also provide useful information when working with self-compacting concrete (SCC) and other specialized concrete mixtures whose pumping characteristics require careful evaluation.

3. 3D Concrete Printing

Concrete 3D printing requires controlled material flow and consistent extrusion behavior. SLIPER can be used to characterize the pressure-flow rate relationship of suitable printable concrete mixtures.

This information can assist researchers and material developers in evaluating mix formulations for consistent material flow and extrusion performance.

4. Research and Concrete Mix Development

Universities, research centers, and material laboratories can use SLIPER to investigate how different mix parameters influence concrete pumpability.

Parameters such as:

• Water-to-binder ratio

• Superplasticizer type

• Aggregate characteristics

• Aggregate proportions

• Air content

can influence the pressure-flow rate relationship. SLIPER provides quantitative measurement data that can support comparisons between different concrete formulations.

Evaluating Your Concrete Pumpability Testing Requirements

The most suitable pumpability assessment method depends on the concrete type, pumping configuration, and information required during the testing or development process.

When the Slump Test Provides Limited Information

The slump test (ASTM C143 / EN 12350-2) is widely used to evaluate the consistency and workability of fresh concrete. However, a slump value does not provide complete information about plastic viscosity, pipe-wall interaction, or pumping pressure.

For applications involving long pipelines, vertical pumping, multiple bends, reducers, or specialized concrete mixtures, additional pumpability data can provide a more detailed understanding of pumping behavior.

SLIPER Compared With Conventional Concrete Rheometers

A conventional rotational concrete rheometer measures rheological properties such as yield stress and plastic viscosity by rotating a measuring system within a concrete sample.

SLIPER takes a different approach by evaluating concrete under pipe-flow conditions and measuring pressure and flow rate. This makes it useful for assessing pumping behavior and pressure losses in addition to fundamental rheological properties.

For comprehensive concrete characterization, rotational rheometry and SLIPER testing can provide complementary information: conventional rheometers characterize fundamental rheological properties, while SLIPER focuses on applied pumpability and pipe-flow behavior.

Key Parameters for Concrete Pumpability Testing

When planning a concrete pumpability testing program, consider the following factors:

• Pipe length and configuration: Longer pipelines and additional bends can increase pressure losses and should be considered when evaluating pumping requirements.

• Concrete type: Self-compacting concrete, fiber-reinforced concrete, high-strength concrete, and other specialized mixtures can exhibit different pumping characteristics.

• Aggregate characteristics: Aggregate shape, size, and proportions can influence internal friction and the resulting p-Q relationship.

• Admixture sensitivity: Superplasticizers, viscosity-modifying agents, and air-entraining admixtures can affect the pressure-flow rate behavior of fresh concrete.

• Environmental conditions: Temperature and the time elapsed after mixing can influence fresh concrete properties, making representative testing conditions important.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sliding Pipe Rheometer – SLIPER

What Does a Sliding Pipe Rheometer Measure?

A sliding pipe rheometer measures the relationship between pressure and flow rate when fresh concrete moves through a pipe section. SLIPER generates a p-Q diagram that can be used to characterize pumping resistance, evaluate pipe-flow behavior, and estimate pressure losses in concrete pumping systems.

This provides information beyond conventional consistency tests such as slump testing.

How Is SLIPER Different From a Concrete Viscometer?

A conventional concrete viscometer or rotational rheometer measures properties such as yield stress and plastic viscosity through controlled rotational movement.

SLIPER evaluates fresh concrete under pipe-flow conditions using a sliding pipe arrangement. This provides pressure-flow rate data related to concrete pumping behavior and can provide information about lubricating-layer effects and pipe-wall interaction.

The two approaches can therefore provide complementary information for concrete rheology and pumpability testing.

Can SLIPER Test Materials Other Than Concrete?

Yes. The Sliding Pipe Rheometer – SLIPER is designed for fresh concrete and can also be used for other thick, pumpable building materials, including mortar and other suitable material formulations.

Material suitability depends on factors such as flow behavior and aggregate or particle size in relation to the measurement setup.

How Accurate Are SLIPER Pumping Pressure Predictions?

SLIPER pressure predictions are based on measured pressure-flow data and its integrated calculation model. Research and full-scale pumping comparisons have been used to evaluate the relationship between SLIPER measurements and concrete pumping behavior.

The quality of the prediction depends on representative sampling, suitable test conditions, and appropriate measurement parameters.

Is SLIPER Suitable for Construction Sites?

Yes. SLIPER has a compact and robust design and can operate using battery power, making it suitable for laboratory and construction-site applications. Measurement data can be transmitted wirelessly to a smartphone, where users can review the results and p-Q diagram.

The system requires a relatively small concrete sample, supporting practical on-site concrete pumpability testing and quality control.

How Does Concrete Mix Design Affect the p-Q Curve?

Different concrete mix parameters can influence the pressure-flow rate relationship. Changes in the water-to-binder ratio, superplasticizer dosage, fine material content, aggregate characteristics, and other formulation parameters can affect pumping behavior.

SLIPER provides measurable p-Q data that can help engineers and researchers compare these effects and evaluate concrete formulations for specific pumping requirements.

Sliding Pipe Rheometer - SLIPER Technical Specifications:

For delivery, you will receive:

• SLIPER (Sliding Pipe Rheometer)
• 2x NiMH batteries including charger
• 3x weights approximately 1.6 kg each
• 3x weights approximately 4.8 kg each
• Android smartphone with pre-installed software app
• Operating instructions

This comprehensive package ensures you have all the necessary components and instructions to effectively utilize SLIPER for your applications.

Order information: